That Fatal Sneeze

Invisible wires were the go-to special effects technique back in 1907 as the British short comedy "That Fatal Sneeze" proves by using with great frequency. Director Lewin Fitzhamon, the creator of the first dog and animal hero in movies, 1905's "Rescued By Rover," builds up this "avenge" plot with increasing intensity as each sneeze produces more people chasing the sneezer. Another unique feature is Fitzhamon places his camera on a rocking board to "sway" the earth towards the end, as well as using a Melies' trick of stopping the camera--and replacing the sneezer with a screen of smoke. Lastly, Fitzhamon's tight editing with each sequence highlighting a comedy skit is quicker and crisper than previous "chase" films. Fatal Sneeze is truly a huge leap in the evolution towards today's cinematic aesthetics .

Early special effects film that borrows a lot from Georges Melies and uses gags that comedians like the Marx Brothers and Laurel and Hardy were still finding worthwhile 30 years later. At dinner an elderly man laces the food of a young boy with pepper, unleashing a barrage of sneezes which the old fellow finds quite funny. That night the boy enters the old man's room and puts a large supply of pepper on his handkerchief, in his hat, and other places and just waits for morning. (I sure hope this pair is just uncle and nephew. I would hate to think father and son played such pranks on each other. Then again maybe I should repeat to myself "It's just a show, you should really just relax.") The next day the man discovers he is plagued with uncontrollable sneezes which turn out to be very destructive! One good "ah-choo" destroys a storefront, another blows a woman's hair off, another causes a mild earthquake (accomplished by rocking the camera back and forth) and so on. It is not long before an angry crowd of merchants and passers-by are chasing the man. Meanwhile the boy follows closely waving the pepper shaker and having the time of his life. How does it end? Take the title literally! If you want to see other comics milking sneeze gags just watch the Marx Brothers in AT THE CIRCUS (1939) when Harpo's sneeze demolishes the inside of a caravan. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy explored the dangers of uncontrolled sneezes in some of their 2-reelers as well. This is a great example of early special effects and comedy and almost a century later it is still hilarious.

Granted, this is not profound, earth-shattering filmmaking of the sort to change lives and open minds. It's still fun, imaginative in a way that--so early in film history--had the flavor of unknown possibilities. Now that we know we can do anything via computer graphics, there's so little joy in trick photography and special effects via rigged props. Its strength is its rough edges; this is film in evolution. And the way they chose to end this film is nothing short of priceless.

Since the beginning of motion picture, by the Lumière brothers in 1985, for the next decade forward films where made which where there to attract an audience, like theatre. Theses films did not have anything in the way of acting or composition but where simply there to show an artistic view to the motion picture. Almost like Photography.

But this film in 1907 was one of many such as 'The Impossible Voyage' in 1904 and 'king lea' in 1910, to show a narrative which was not like theatre but more on the way of we are intruding into someone Else's life. This was the beginning of how films are seen today.

Due to this films quirky camera shots and over flamboyant acting, i give this a smashing 9 out of ten. A true film from the beginning of movie making.

When you watch this movie, you should consider it as something made in 1907, the one reel era of cinema. And this film is truly using the technology of film to the maximum. The way to create the feeling of shaking by shaking camera is truly amazing idea and the editing is still compilable by all the filmmaker nowadays.